The Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC0) and Ijaw National Congress (INC) have demanded the lawmaker’s immediate release, the two groups gave the governor 48 hours to release him.

However, at a church service on Sunday, Mr Wike lashed out at the groups for giving him an ultimatum to set Mr Dagogo free.

Addressing the congregation at a thanksgiving service on Sunday held at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Port Harcourt to celebrate the legal victory secured at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the oil well dispute between Rivers and Imo States, Mr Wike, who standing at the altar, invoked thunder to descend on members of the groups.

“That takes us to where some people say we are Ijaw Youth Congress, we are Ijaw National Congress threatening the government; you are wasting your time.

“I don’t know why people don’t even know who they are dealing with, me, me, threatening me, 48 hours,” he said, beating his chest with his left hand, apparently to express his anger.

“Instead of you coming to the government [asking] what is the problem, what happened, you begin to threaten the government, ultimatum. Thunder fire you and ultimatum,” Mr Wike, clad in white and standing on the podium, could be heard saying in a video.

In the short video with Channels Television’s trademark posted on Twitter, some congregants could be heard chorusing the Hebrew word – “Amen,” to confirm Mr Wike’s prayers, while the faces of others are ridden with utter shock and consternation.

The IYC, in its reaction, condemned Mr Wike’s outburst, saying it was not only derogatory but inciting.